Tomato Rice

This recipe is from my mom. This comes out much like the biryani or a spicy pulao.

• 1 lb tomatoes; diced well
  
• 1 large or 2 med onions; diced
  
• 3 green chilies (or more if you need this to be more spicy) slit into two
  
• Cilantro and Mint 1/4 cup each
• Garam masala powder 1 tsp
  
• Rice 1 cup
• Spice powder:
• 2 cloves; 2 cardamoms; 1 tsp fennel seeds; 1/2 inch cinnamon bark
• Dry Heat the spices and powder them
  

o Soak rice for 10 mins
o Add 2 tbsp oil to a wide pan and add spice powder
o And add onions and fry until onions are translucent
o Then add tomatoes and chilies and for 10 mins
o Add Rice and salt and fry for 5 mins
o Add the herbs and garam masala powder and mix well
o Add 1 cup water and cook in a pressure cooker for 2 whistles
o After the cooker cools, open and mix the rice well and leave to cook in the remaining heat for 10 more mins
o If you are cooking in a wide pan instead of the cooker you need to add more water
o The key is to find the right water/rice/cooktime ratio for your cooking method so that the rice doesn't lose its texture.